The Touch (2002 film) explained

The Touch
Director:Peter Pau
Producer:Thomas Chung
Michelle Yeoh
Starring:Michelle Yeoh
Ben Chaplin
Richard Roxburgh
Music:Basil Poledouris
Cinematography:Peter Pau
Distributor:Gala Film Distribution
Runtime:103 minutes
Country:China
Language:English
Mandarin
Budget:$18.6–20 million[1]
Gross:$2.262.168[2] (International)
Native Name:
Child:yes
Hide:no
Header:none
T:天脈傳奇
S:天脉传奇
P:Tiān Mài Chuánqí
J:tin1 mak6 cyun4 kei4
L:The Legend of the Heavenly Pulse

The Touch is a 2002[3] Hong Kong action/adventure martial arts film directed by Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon cinematographer Peter Pau and starring Michelle Yeoh, Ben Chaplin and Richard Roxburgh. It was produced by China Film Co-production Corporation, Han Entertainment, Mythical Films, Aruze, Pandasia Entertainment and Tianjan Studios.[4] [5]

Apart from special effects sequences shot in sound stages, the film was shot on-location in Tibet, Nepal and China.[6] [7] [8] Some of the mountain ranges in which the film was shot were not open to filmmakers earlier.

More than two years before its release, it was reported that Lee Chi-Ngai had been chosen to direct the film, starring Michelle Yeoh and produced by Media Asia Group managing director Thomas Chung.[9] [10] Miramax also bought the rights to the film in 2001,[11] removing 20 minutes of footage for a 83-minute version and completed the special effects CGI scenes. Miramax eventually premiered the film on United States TV channel in 2006.[12]

The film's producers and distribution company M6 in France encountered conflicts over casting and the cost of the rights.[13] [14] [15] It had been passed uncut by the China's national censor,[4] and had a 2005 theatrical release in Japan by Nikkatsu.[16] [17] Beside, it released from 2003 to 2005 in various European countries, including Spain and Greece.[18] In 2023, The Touch is available for streaming in the United States on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV app.[19]

The film was chosen as the Hong Kong entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 75th Academy Awards but was disqualified for being ineligible, due to the film's language being mainly in English.[20]

Plot

The Touch tells the story of a Chinese family of martial artists and acrobats who have been performing for many generations. The family are, in secret, guardians of a holy treasure accessible only by a spectacular jump which, to everyone else, is impossible to perform.

One of the family members (the main character's brother) and his girlfriend are kidnapped by a ruthless treasure hunter (Roxburgh) to procure the priceless relic for him. Yeoh's character Pak Yin, with the help of Eric (Chaplin), her master thief ex-boyfriend, pursues them into an ancient desert where legends say the treasure is buried in order to uncover and protect the treasure that her ancestors had sworn to keep safe.[21] The action culminates in a climactic sequence set in the booby trapped subterranean Buddhist temple.

Cast

Reception

The film was generally panned by critics for its clichéd storyline, overuse of English than Chinese and the sub-par visual effects in the original theatrical release. Andrew Saroch of Far East Film Festival gave the film 2.5/5 stars and wrote: "The fact that ‘Magnificent Warriors’ – Yeoh’s much more successful action-adventure outing – was made for a fraction of ‘The Touch’s budget says everything about Pau’s finished article."[23] In his review for Screen International, Paul Fonoroff described the film as "an Indiana Jones with Chinese characteristics, The Touch is a sumptuous adventure whose hi-tech visuals are undercut by that most low-tech aspect of filmmaking: the script".[24] EastKicks.com founder Andrew Heskins while praising Michelle Yeoh's performance, he said that the film "could be marketed in the west. It’s fun, beautifully photographed and unashamedly undemanding, it still has something to offer against the competition. Just don’t expect Crouching Tiger…"[25]

Accolades

AwardYearCategoryRecipient(s)Result
Academy Awards2003Best Foreign Language FilmPeter Pau[26] [27]
CineAsia Awards2002Producer of the YearThomas Chung & Michelle Yeoh[28]
Hong Kong Film Awards2003Best CinematographyPeter Pau[29]
Best Action ChoreographyPhilip Kwok
Huabiao Awards2002Outstanding Co-Production FilmThomas Chung & Michelle Yeoh[30]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Michelle Yeoh shows true colors . Yu Sen-lun . . August 16, 2002 . October 28, 2023 . October 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028183200/https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2002/08/16/0000160573 . live.
    Web site: 《天脉传奇》欲内地香港同步公映 . 四川新闻网-成都日报 . . Chinese . May 12, 2002 . October 28, 2023 . October 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028190201/https://ent.sina.com.cn/m/c/2002-05-12/82901.html . live.
  2. Web site: The Touch (2002) . . October 29, 2023 . October 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029064823/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0293660/ . live.
  3. Web site: The Touch (2002) . . October 29, 2023 . October 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029060518/https://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-touch/20018502/main/ . live.
  4. Web site: Michelle Yeoh's Touch passed untouched . Patrick . Frater . . July 25, 2002 . October 28, 2023 . October 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028173320/https://www.screendaily.com/michelle-yeohs-touch-passed-untouched/409995.article . live.
  5. Web site: The Touch . Derek . Elley . . October 11, 2002 . October 28, 2023 . October 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028180705/https://variety.com/2002/film/awards/the-touch-2-1200545519/ . live.
  6. Web site: Yeoh gets in ‘Touch’ with next pic in Tibet . Jeremy . Hansen . . August 27, 2001 . November 7, 2023 . November 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231107035259/https://variety.com/2001/film/news/yeoh-gets-in-touch-with-next-pic-in-tibet-1117851894/ . live.
  7. Web site: 关注《天脉传奇》：比天气还热的热片 . 北京晚报 . . Chinese . August 2, 2002 . October 29, 2023 . October 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029073920/https://ent.sina.com.cn/m/c/2002-08-02/171194046.html . live.
  8. Web site: The Touch . . October 29, 2023 . October 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029061011/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/536200/the-touch/#overview . live.
  9. Web site: ‘Touch’ taps Lee to helm . John . Hopewell . . May 18, 2000 . October 29, 2023 . October 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029074949/https://variety.com/2000/film/news/touch-taps-lee-to-helm-1117781867/ . live.
  10. Web site: Chung reassigned at Media Asia Group . Sherman . Chau . . August 22, 2001 . October 29, 2023 . October 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029081942/https://www.screendaily.com/chung-reassigned-at-media-asia-group/406657.article . live.
  11. Web site: Chung, Yeoh launch multimedia Han dynasty . Patrick . Frater . . December 4, 2001 . October 29, 2023 . October 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029083704/https://www.screendaily.com/chung-yeoh-launch-multimedia-han-dynasty/407683.article . live.
  12. News: . Firday Prime Time. . 2006-10-20 . C7.
  13. Web site: M6 grabs CJ's Musa, holds onto Yeoh's The Touch . Patrick . Frater . . September 22, 2001 . October 29, 2023 . October 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029083733/https://www.screendaily.com/m6-grabs-cjs-musa-holds-onto-yeohs-the-touch/406958.article . live.
  14. Web site: Fortissimo to handle remaining sales on Pau's The Touch . Patrick . Frater . . April 26, 2002 . October 29, 2023 . October 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029083702/https://www.screendaily.com/fortissimo-to-handle-remaining-sales-on-paus-the-touch/409021.article . live.
  15. Web site: Yeoh to get tough with French distributor M6 . Patrick . Frater . . May 28, 2002. October 29, 2023 . October 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029111056/https://www.screendaily.com/yeoh-to-get-tough-with-french-distributor-m6/409433.article . live.
  16. Web site: レジェンド 三蔵法師の秘宝 . . Japanese . October 29, 2023 . October 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029051840/https://eiga.com/movie/52534/ . live.
  17. Web site: レジェンド／三蔵法師の秘宝 . . Japanese . October 29, 2023 . October 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029052609/https://natalie.mu/eiga/film/143767 . live.
    Web site: レジェンド　三蔵法師の秘宝 . . Japanese . October 29, 2023 . October 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029051843/https://www.nikkatsu.com/movie/32249.html . live.
  18. Web site: The Touch (2002) . Blu-ray.com . October 29, 2023 . October 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029071212/https://www.blu-ray.com/The-Touch/562983/ . live.
  19. Web site: The Touch . Reelgood . October 29, 2023 . October 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029074955/https://reelgood.com/movie/the-touch-2002 . live.
  20. Web site: Tongue-twisting challenge faces Oscar foreign language selectors . Staff Reporters . . November 1, 2002 . October 29, 2023 . October 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029083718/https://www.screendaily.com/tongue-twisting-challenge-faces-oscar-foreign-language-selectors/4011037.article . live.
  21. Web site: The Touch . . October 29, 2023 . October 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029055306/https://www.avclub.com/film/reviews/the-touch-2002 . live.
  22. Web site: The Touch - Official Site . . October 28, 2023 . October 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028181154/https://www.miramax.com/movie/the-touch/ . live.
  23. Web site: The Touch (2002) - Review . Andrew . Saroch . . June 15, 2015 . October 28, 2023 . October 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028184542/https://www.fareastfilms.com/?review_post_type=the-touch . live.
  24. Web site: The Touch (Tian Mai Chuanqi) . Paul . Fonoroff . . December 17, 2002 . October 29, 2023 . October 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029053754/https://www.screendaily.com/the-touch-tian-mai-chuanqi/4011609.article . live.
  25. Web site: The Touch . Andrew . Heskins . EastKicks.com . December 1, 2004 . October 29, 2023 . October 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029055629/https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/the-touch/ . live.
  26. Web site: Hong Kong submits English-language film for best foreign-language Oscar . Staff Reporters . . October 31, 2002. October 29, 2023 . October 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029083705/https://www.screendaily.com/hong-kong-submits-english-language-film-for-best-foreign-language-oscar/4011005.article . live.
  27. Web site: Tongues wag over foreign picks . Robert . Koehler . . December 9, 2002 . October 29, 2023 . October 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029085946/https://variety.com/2002/film/awards/tongues-wag-over-foreign-picks-1117877209/ . live.
  28. Web site: CineAsia Award Winners . Film Expo Group . October 28, 2023 . October 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028083818/https://www.filmexpos.com/cineasia/cineasiaaward-winners/ . live.
    Web site: The 2016 United Nations Day Humanitarian Awards Gala Dinner . United Nations Association of New York (UNA-NYC) . October 26, 2016 . October 27, 2023 . October 27, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027061919/https://www.unanyc.org/events/unday-gala-2016 . live.
  29. Web site: 第22屆得獎名單 . Chinese . . October 28, 2023 . October 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028172239/https://www.hkfaa.com/winnerlist22.html . live.
  30. Web site: “天脉”喜获华表奖 钟再思买断“花木兰”片名(图) . . . Chinese . September 3, 2002 . October 24, 2023 . October 24, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231024052504/https://ent.sina.com.cn/m/c/2002-09-03/073998642.html . live.

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